Ultimate Communion

ABSTRACT

This invention creates a unique and simplified version of the disposable communion container. Two compartments are formed at opposite ends of the container from one piece of food grade, clear plastic material requiring only one thermo-forming application. This prevents the confusion and difficulty opening overlapping lids or closures that requires thinly pressed, circular wafers to be used for the bread element. This invention also prevents the possibility of opening a compartment by accident possibly causing a spill of the elements. The compartment created for the bread is large enough to hold a biscuit shaped cracker with distinct flavors and texture. A simpler container with larger compartments accommodating elements that conform closer to the Scriptural description of traditional and sacred communion elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. provisional patentapplication no. 62/387,807 filed Jan. 7, 2016 titled Ultimate Communion.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Endeavor

This invention pertains to the field of food, processes, compositionsand products (Class 426), specifically including food and drinkdispensing or serving. Field of search included 426/115, 426/119,426/120, 426/123, 426/124, 426/86, 206/19, 206/196, 206/217, 220/23,220/500, 220/522.

2. Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,702 titled Communion Container (Powell) describes asan improved communion container for containing a portion of wine/grapejuice and a portion of bread. The container includes a lid secured tothe cup around the open mouth and to seal the portion of wine or grapejuice within the cup. Also, a separate receptacle to hold a portion ofbread specifically designed to fit into a separate cavity as shown inFIG. 8 of the patent drawings.

Another Communion receptacle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,570 titledDual-Compartment Communion Container (Richmond) describes a containerthat has a dual-compartment, disposable and sanitary. The firstcompartment is formed by a cup which is closed off by a first, removableclosure element. A second compartment is formed by a recess within thesidewall of the cup, and is closed off by a second closure element.Sidewall compartment details are shown in patent drawings FIGS. 2B and3B.

The previously patents describe separate cavities for traditionalcommunion sacrament elements of wine/grape juice and bread.

One has the bread cavity located on the side while the other has thebread cavity located on the base of the cup. This patent requires aseparate receptacle to hold the bread that then can be place and securedinto the cavity in the base.However, only the first patent cited (U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,702) bears anysimilarity in design, utility or operating principle to the communioncup disclosed herein. The Ultimate Communion cup described in thisapplication uses a similar dual compartment concept featuring andopening located at the top of the cup and cavity opening located at thebase of the cup. This is where the rudimentary similarities end. Thecommunion cup described in this application enlarges the space providedfor the bread while simplifying the process for opening both top andbase compartments of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Ultimate Communion cup is designed to provide a unique and efficientserviceability to a product widely used for food and drink dispensing.It provides greater space for the elements while using minimalmaterials.

None of the inventions and patents noted, taken either in combination orsingly, is shown to describe the invention disclosed herein as claimed.The Ultimate Communion cup is comprised of just two primary components:(1) A thermo-formed cup featuring a compartment at the top of thecontainer used for grape juice with an additional compartment/cavity atthe base of the container used for the bread/biscuit/cracker.(2) Two peel-off, heat-sealable closures consisting of thermoplastic andpaper-backed foils treated with heat activated adhesives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevated view of the container base with itsthermo-formed compartment/cavity that holds the bread. The heat-sealed,closure is shown partially removed by using the finger tab.

FIG. 2 shows an elevated view of the container top with itsthermo-formed compartment/cavity that holds the grape juice. Theheat-sealed, foil-backed, coated-paper closure is shown partiallyremoved using the finger tab.

FIG. 3 shows a side view which easily identifies both compartments ofthis plastic, thermo-formed, disposable, Ultimate Communion container.

FIG. 4 shows an elevated, detailed view of the closures and dualcompartment, Ultimate Communion container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a complete and elevated view of the container with the basefacing upward. 101 shows the clear, food grade plastic closure with afinger tab 102 used to show opening of the lid. 103 shows where theheat-sealable adhesive is activated to adhere the lid to the container104. Compartment 105 is where the Communion bread/biscuit/cracker isplaced. 106 points to the side wall of the container. 107, 108, 109 showthe parts of the opposite opening which are detailed in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a complete and elevated view of the container with the topcompartment facing upward. 201 shows the coated paper, foil backedclosure with a finger tab 202 and the area of heat activated sealing 203occurs when said closure is placed over the ledge 204 around theopening. This compartment/cavity is filled with a portion of wine/grapejuice. 205 points to the side wall of the container. 205 and 206 showthe under-side of the circular cavity holding the bread/biscuit/crackerdetailed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of this one piece, two compartments,thermo-formed container. 301 shows the upper ledge where the heat-sealedclosure is located. 302 shows the side wall of the container. The cavityat the base of the container 303 holds the bread/biscuit/cracker. 304points to the base ledge where the clear base closure is located and isheat-sealed to the container.

FIG. 4 shows an elevated view with the elements of the containerseparated for clarity and illustrative purposes. 401 and 402 show thefoil backed, coated paper lid with finger tab. 403 shows the upper ledgeused to heat-seal the lid to the container. 404 points to the side wallof the thereto-formed container. 405 is the thermo-formed cavity usedfor holding the bread/biscuit/cracker. 406 show the ledge used forheat-sealing the closure with finger tab 407, 408 to the UltimateCommunion container.

I claim:
 1. A single, two compartment, thermo-formed plastic container with heat-sealed, peel-off closures to secure the contents of both compartments.
 2. The base compartment of the container is pre-filled with the first communion element, a solid selected from the group consisting of bread, biscuit and cracker.
 3. The upper compartment of the container is pre-filled with the second communion element, a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, wine and red grape juice. 